Energy management device for fireplace(s)

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a readily deployed insulating seal for the hearth opening eliminating airflow to and from the chimney flue that utilizes a safe and uncomplicated expanding Pneumatic filled mass that acts as a closure preventing heat loss from exiting the room and blocking cold air from entering.

BACKGROUND

Heat loss and the ability of homes and businesses to conserve valuable energy has been a fundamental goal of many for a very long time. Everyone knows to close doors and windows in inclement weather and billions are spent on insulation and high-tech insulation methods, but at times the simplest and seemingly the most obvious failures are overlooked. Often times a chimney damper is simply an un-insulated metal flap with less than a perfect seal which allows air to flow past in both directions. Energy someone pays to produce flows right past primarily unchecked, and the elements can similarly flow in creating a need to expend more energy to mitigate the inflows or losses. A reasoning individual would never leave a window cracked open in the dead of winter and pumping air conditioned air out the flue is expensive and wasteful. This invention in one of its many manifestations creates an airtight barrier and insulates at the same time.

SUMMARY

The issue is simple; how do we seal off an area that is not uniform in size and/or dimension to eliminate the loss? The invention is scalable and malleable to the point of forming itself to virtually any opening and creating an airtight seal that insulates as part of its basic design by placing an air barrier between the inside and outside elements. Deployment is fast and takes no special skill or ability. Simply placing the invention into the opening roughly in the center of the space and inflating the device with one of the several available methods is all it takes. The device will form to the area as it is inflated creating a solid and insulated seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF INCORPORATED FIGURES

Detailed descriptions are provided below and incorporated in the detailed description of the invention. Reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of one manifestation of the device in accordance with the embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 shows one example and manifestation of an inflation/deflation valve in accordance with the embodiment of the invention; and

NOTATION, CLASSIFICATION, AND TERMINOLOGY

Terms (defined as a name or word for something) are used throughout the following descriptions, discussions, and claims that refer to particular systems, components, and processes. The uses of these “terms” are in no way intended to be the exclusive and only representation of the described systems, components, and processes and are only intended to reference an embodiment of the noted systems, components, and processes. As is the case in most industries and as far as that is concerned most situations, one person may refer to a system, component, and/or process with one “term” where another may use a different “term.” The “terms” contained herein are not intended to distinguish between systems, components, and processes that differ in name but not function.

In review, when a “term” is used it should be interpreted as the “[term] including but not limited to.”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

There are multiple embodiments of the invention that facilitate the same result. The following discussions reference several of those embodiments but is in no way intended to comprise the only embodiments. The discussions herein have broad application, and the discussions are intended to be exemplary and not exclusionary. The exemplary nature of the discussions herein is not intended to limit the scope or embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of the device in accordance with the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows the basic design elements of the invention. The device 100 incorporates a fire retardant material with a shaped top that can mold to any combustion chamber ceiling 101 that channels air and flue gasses into a flue pipe 102. All fireplace hearths have a conical or tapered ceiling to the combustion chamber 101 that channels the air and flue gasses to a central location where the flue pipe 102 is located allowing for a natural path up the flue and outside the structure. The device 100 uses pressure exerted on the top of the device against the ceiling of the combustion chamber 101 with the malleable composition of the device 100 to create an airtight seal regardless of the exact configuration or design of the combustion chamber ceiling. The “pressure” previously noted is created by the expansion of the device 100 in the hearth 103 by means of the Pneumatic fill valve 104. This expansion substantially fills the hearth opening 103 and exerts pressure through contact with the floor and back of the hearth opening 103 and the ceiling of the combustion chamber 101. The invention will be available in variable sizes to accommodate most conventional fireplace openings and shall be scalable within certain parameters to accommodate variances in design and construction.

The device 100 creates an air pocket contained inside of the malleable material which has insulation values that vary depending on the size of the hearth, size of the flue, and proper installation of device 100.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the Pneumatic fill valve 104 from FIG. 1. For illustrative purposes in FIG. 2 and this detailed description of this embodiment of the Pneumatic fill valve we will maintain the same numeric reference for the Pneumatic fill valve 104. The Pneumatic fill valve 104 is integrated into the lower front area of the device 100 [201]. This embodiment utilizes a simple oversized flap valve design 202 that allows the applied Pneumatic source to pass by pushing past the flap substantially unrestricted. Once filling of the device 100 is complete and the applied Pneumatic source is stopped the oversized flap valve 202 will be pushed by the escaping Pneumatic material closing the valve and sealing the opening with the Pneumatic material contained in the device. Once the filling stage is complete the valve can be more securely sealed for a prolonged application of the device by pressing the ribbed Pneumatic fill valve seal 203 which is tethered to the valve 204 into the ribbed cylinder of the Pneumatic fill valve 104. To deflate the device you simply pull up on the valve seal relief tab 205 and use any blunt ended object long enough to reach the oversized flap valve 202 and depress the valve creating a path for the Pneumatic material to escape. Continue to depress the valve until the device is fully deflated. 

What is claimed:
 1. A device consisting essentially of: A fire retardant inflatable product that eliminates energy loss through a fireplace flue; that prevents drafts from entering the property from the fireplace flue; that insulates the fireplace flue from airflow into or out from the property; that is self-anchoring in the fireplace hearth; that is scalable to accommodate variances in the hearth openings; that is easily deployed by inflating the device through a pneumatic fill valve (illustrative example of an embodiment of one manifestation of a pneumatic fill valve is displayed as FIG. 2); and is easily deflated for removal and use of the fireplace as intended by the designer.
 2. The device as described in claim 1 as it relates to an energy management device for fireplace(s).
 3. A design comprising: A shaped vessel that essentially creates an anchoring mechanism as part of its basic shape; that contains an easily accessed pneumatic fill valve that allow for ready access to install or remove the device from the hearth; that is purposefully produced in multiple sizes to accommodate variances in hearth openings and scalable in deployed size to cover all size parameters between produced sizes; and creates an insulating barrier between the inside and outside air.
 4. The design as described in claim 3 as it relates to an energy management device for fireplace(s). 